ONT urges caution this holiday season

ONTARIO - Travelers flying into or out of L.A./Ontario International Airport this week need to be prepared.

ONT officials have not calculated Thanksgiving travel figures for the airport, but they expect to be especially busy from Thursday through Monday, ONT spokeswoman Maria Tesoro-Fermin.

Airports usually see a higher number of new or inexperienced travelers during this holiday season, said Nico Melendez, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration.

"Obviously, during the holidays, we see a lot of inexperienced travelers coming to the airport," Melendez said.

"We ask passengers, first and foremost, check with the airline what the airport is going to be like that morning."

But there are plenty of other tips that ONT passengers should be made aware of.

They include:

- Arrive at least two hours before a flight's departure.

- Check with your airline or travel agent for flight delays or cancellations before going to ONT.

- Passengers can be dropped off or picked up along the curb in front of the terminals. However, cars can't wait or park at the curb. Motorists waiting for arriving passengers can park in the free cell phone waiting lot at 1940 E. Moore Way.

- Watch belongings at all times and never leave baggage unattended. Airport police officers will be looking for unattended items.

- Double check your bags for weapons or sharp items before heading to the airport in order to save time getting through security.

"This year, we've just seen an incredible number of guns coming through the airport," Melendez said. "We had over 1,100 guns found at airports around the country since the beginning of the year."

- Family members who may be worried about stricter and more invasive security measures can rest easy knowing that TSA recently amended its guidelines to reduce the number of pat downs on children who are under 12 years old.

- Boys and girls will be allowed to leave their shoes on when they go through the security checkpoint.

"We implemented that at the end of September, but it's really going to get its first workout this holiday season because there will be more kids traveling with their families during the holidays," Melendez said.